Saab Highlights: 2010 Paris Motor Show

DETROIT, Sept. 17 /PRNewswire/ --  

• Public debut: Saab 9-3 ePower, first EV from Saab
• Class-leading 119 g/km CO2 emissions from latest Saab 9-3 diesels
• New BioPower, diesel and gasoline engines expand Saab 9-5 line-up

Since the re-birth as an independent company just seven months ago, Saab has launched the all-new 9-5 sedan, concentrated all facilities in Sweden, ramped up production, rebuilt the global sales network, and formed new strategic business partnerships.

Looking ahead, there will be two more new products to launch in the next 12 months. Saab's business plan is on track. In short, the future for Saab Automobile has never looked brighter.

On the stand at this year's Paris Motor Show, zero-emissions driving and class-leading low CO2 levels are among the eco-benefits on offer from Saab.

Taking center stage and making its public debut, the unique Saab 9-3 ePower is an all-electric version of the 9-3 SportCombi. It is Saab's first step towards developing an all-electric vehicle and a test fleet of 70 cars will begin user trials in Sweden early next year.

On sale now in Europe are the latest 180 hp/132 kW 2.0TTiD Saab 9-3 Sport Sedans, which deliver a class-leading CO2 rating of only 119 g/km. More powerful, two-stage turbocharging is standard for all diesel models, while fuel economy and emissions are improved an average by 10 percent across the entire range.

Saab also extends it market leadership in biofuel applications with the introduction of a 220 hp/162 kW, 2.0-liter BioPower engine for the new Saab 9-5 sedan. A more powerful, 190 hp/140 kW, 2.0-liter turbo diesel for Europe and a rightsized, 180 hp/132 kW, 1.6-liter gasoline turbo further extend the 9-5's powertrain line-up.

Saab 9-3 ePower: midsized sports combi with zero emissions

Saab Automobile takes its first step towards developing an all-electric vehicle with the unique Saab 9-3 ePower, a Saab 9-3 SportCombi designed to offer a zero-emissions driving range greater than any EV currently in production.

Using high density, lithium-ion battery cells, the 9-3 ePower has a projected driving range of 200 kilometers and is powered by a 135 kW/184 hp electric motor giving zero to 100 km/h acceleration is just 8.5 seconds.

Early next year, Saab and its development partners will begin an extensive test driving program in Sweden with a 70-strong fleet of Saab 9-3 ePower cars. Performance will be monitored across a wide variety of usage patterns, with component data logged on aircraft-style, black box recorders. The program is designed to evaluate the potential for developing a high performance Saab EV.

Low emissions: Saab 9-3 diesels offer class-leading performance

Exceptionally low CO2 emissions of just 119 g/km and combined fuel consumption of 4.5 l/100 km have been achieved by Saab engineers in adopting two-stage turbocharging across the 9-3 diesel range.

The 1.9-liter diesel line-up now comprises 130, 160 and 180 hp TTiD units. With these engines and manual transmission, Linear and Vector Sport Sedans deliver outstanding combined cycle fuel economy of 4.5 l/100 km and 119 g/km CO2 emissions. For the SportCombi, the respective figures are 4.6 l/100 km and 122 g/km. And for the 9-3 Convertible, available with the 160 and 180 hp engines, 5.1 l/100 km and 134 g/km.

In terms of CO2 emissions per unit of horsepower, the 9-3 Sport Sedan with a 180 hp 1.9 TTiD engine now delivers the most efficient performance in the compact segment.

Three engines added to new Saab 9-5 line-up

The powertrain menu for the new 9-5 is doubled in size with the addition of three new engines.

A 190 hp/140 kW, 2.0-liter diesel, with two-stage turbocharging for European markets, joins the current 160 hp/118 kW, single turbo version. It combines strong performance with impressive frugality (6.1 l/100 km and 161 g/km CO2) and can also be teamed with Saab XWD, bringing this advanced all-wheel-drive technology together with diesel power for the first time.

The new 2.0-liter turbo BioPower engine, like its gasoline stablemate, utilizes direct injection and variable valve timing, on both inlet and exhaust sides. It is the most sophisticated expression of Saab BioPower flex-fuel technology and runs on E85 fuel and/or gasoline in any blends, delivering peak power of 220 hp/162 kW on either fuel.  This variant will be available in the U.S. market as well.  

Saab's rightsizing engine strategy is also reinforced by the addition of a 180 hp/132 kW 1.6-liter gasoline turbo, which establishes a lower price entry point for the 9-5 range. Developing more than 112 hp per liter, it is among the most powerful series production engines in its displacement class. Combined cycle fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are 7.8 l/100 km and 179 g/km respectively.

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SOURCE Saab Cars North America